beanstalk_sims | Culpepper Pals: Summer 2: Vatore

Hello! It has been a little while, but it's time for some more Culpepper Pals! I had déjà vu while writing this one, and had to check I hadn't already released it!

Last time, Kirby gained the ability to properly go out into the sunlight. She also fell pregnant with her second child, and gave birth to a little girl named Dolores - nicknamed Dolly. Caleb's sister Lilith moved in with the family. Kirby and Caleb's eldest child, Max, had a pretty productive spring, completing two childhood aspirations and doing well in school.

Index / Boolprop

As tradition dictates, Caleb and Kirby are wearing completely random outfits when I arrive.

I'm sure they're meant to be "vampire" outfits, but who's to say? The thick insulated gloves are perfect for the summer, right?

Unlike his parents, Max seems to know what season it is, because the first thing he did after I arrived was go for a swim.

And then ran inside to entertain Dolly.

Have I mentioned that I love this family?

While the kids bond, Caleb slips into his garden, whistling while he weeds.

His gardening hobby is so wholesome <3

Time to disturb the peace - it's play date time!

Marnie Titan-Ojo was the first toddler to arrive, and immediately went for the stairs. Which looks totally 100% safe.

Dolly found the brand new ball pit first, but was also able to convince Tori Holiday to give it a go.

Everything was super cute and going well...

So then Caleb accidentally starts a dryer fire.

Luckily Kirby and Summer are on hand to put it out, but something isn't quite right.

"Kirby, where's your husband? Wasn't he here a second ago...?"

Turns out, Caleb had just poofed into the yard.

But my god, he gave me a heart attack. I thought he'd died! Thankfully, no one was hurt.

And despite the drama, the play date somehow ended on Bronze.

I'll take it.

Even with her new friends gone, Dolly isn't starved for attention - she loves her Aunt Lilith.

"Look at you, standing up there! Isn't this fun, sweetheart?"

Honestly, Caleb looks like he's having more fun that Dolly is.

Cutest thing ever <3

You know what? This whole family just melts my heart.

Morning arrives, and the adults decide to learn some skills.

Only the kids need to eat, but Caleb is a Foodie and loves cooking. I guess the kids can expect some more elaborate meals in the future.

Or, you know, a bowl of yoghurt on the sofa.

Complete with entertainment, Dolly is loving Kirby's funny faces.

I think Lilith is enjoying the summer.

That evening, both Kirby and Caleb decided to help Max out with his project. I don't think I told either of them to do it, they were both just feeling like getting involved. And matching Max by wearing PJs.

Max isn't the only one learning, Lilith autonomously decided to teach Dolly, too.

I'm so glad I moved Lilith in <3

Why do sims like to congregate in one spot?

"Are you playing ball in the house?"

"Oh come on, Caleb, your house is big enough."

"Right but...if we let you play inside, then we have to let Max. So..."

"FINE. I'll take it outside."

"Thanks!"

Lilith ended up putting the ball away and going for a swim. But apparently that doesn't mean escaping her brother.

He looks so pale in this screenshot!

In case you were wondering, Max is still an excellent student.

Caleb in the kitchen always leads to mess. But he's enthusiastic, and that's what counts.

Can you believe it, it's time for Max to become a teen?!

He's handsome, but that's no surprise given who his parents are.

Max's new trait is Insider, and his aspiration is Academic, which also gives him the Quick Learner trait.

And because both his parents are vampires, Max has now grown into his vampirism.

Luckily for Max, Kirby has been planning for this day.

She always said she'd give her kids the choice, and I feel like Max wouldn't want to remain a vampire.

"Oh neat! Someone left out a birthday cocktail for me!"

"I think there's something weird in this drink!"

Looks like Kirby decided to listen in on her son. It can't be easy knowing your son will age while you're immortal, but honestly, it's for the best.

The cure changed very little about Max's appearance, although he now has brown eyes instead of purple.

Neither of his parents have brown eyes, so who knows why the game decided on that. But I'll roll with it.

Aaand I think Kirby might be stuck there.

Or not.

I wish I could say this is the first time she has cycled in the house, but it's not.

Lilith then somehow managed to get herself stuck in that corner.

She was rescued, and then I plonked something there so it doesn't happen again. How she managed to get there in the first place is beyond me.

Once she had freed herself from the corner of the study, Lilith invited Candy Behr over.

Candy is apparently one of Lilith's closest friends, which is nice - maybe Candy is finally moving on after her break up with Dusty. She's also had a makeover, which I'm really happy with.

After hanging out by the pool, Lilith decided to show Candy which constellations she knows.

You would imagine in a city centre there would be too much light pollution to see stars, but there you go.

"Alright, who left their dirty clothes in the YARD?!"

Honestly? I think it was Lilith.

Not that Lilith's mind is on laundry right now.

"You know, I used to live in the Spice Market, too."

"You did?"

"Yeah, a long time ago. Over in Culpepper House."

"With your girlfriend?"

"Ex girlfriend."

Lilith took Candy's hands.

"And you're okay? Being back here?"

Candy was surprised by the question, "I am. I mean, I'm in the city a lot anyway but...everything with me and Dusty? It was a while ago now. I'm ready to move on."

"You know, I might be able to help you with that," Lilith said, handing a rose to Candy. The serious look on her face was replaced with a smile.

"Oh yeah? What did you have in mind?"

* * *

Candy must have liked the suggestion, because she invited Lilith out the following day.

They met under the pretence that they were there to get Judith Ward's autograph.

It was a ruse, I don't think either of them really care about celebrities.

Who wants an autograph when they could spend the afternoon making out?

By the end of the afternoon, Lilith and Candy had agreed to be girlfriends.

And Lilith's feeling pretty smug about that.

Back at the house, Max is making plans.

"Oli! My man! You've been a teen longer than me, what should we do tonight?"

"Uh...homework?"

"Wrong! We're heading out!"

A club for the teens was formed, and the group headed to the Bluffs for the evening.

And because Max is his mother's son, he brought his bike.

The teens hung out until evening slipped into night. And at least three of them had a blast, I'm not so sure about Oli.

I don't think he likes other people very much. He doesn't really have any friends.

Meanwhile, Shari is Max's closest friend.

I reckon Max would've liked to hang out longer, but it was getting pretty late. It won't be the last time the teens hang out, anyway.

There's no sneaking in quietly when your parents don't sleep, and also both have too much enthusiasm for your schoolwork.

The following day was a wash out. Can't have a summer without at least one stormy day, right?

Lilith decided to spend the day out in Windenburg, where weather conditions were actually drier for once!

Not that the pair of them really noticed the weather.

Why is there a closet in the pub, anyway?

Pretty sure Lilith and Candy scared off the only other customer in the bar.

They just work together <3

Back home, Lilith decides to tell her brother all about Candy.

"...and she's just wonderful and great and I like her very much."

"Well, I'd love to meet her properly sometime, Lil'. I think we met briefly at various parties, but it would be great to get to know her."

"I'd like that. Anyway, I've talked nonstop since coming home, what are you up to?"

"I'm baking! It's a special little someone's birthday!"

Yep, it's time for Dolly to grow up!

She definitely takes after her Dad!

Dolly's first trait is Music Lover, and her childhood aspiration is Artistic Prodigy. She also has the Happy Toddler trait.

Apparently instead of a birthday party for Dolly, the Vatores are going to help David Titan-Ojo with his homework.

Who knows, maybe they'll be a good influence on him!

Well. Other than the 'playing ball in the house' thing.

It's thundering and lightning, and everyone is tense from it, but these two decide it's the perfect time to go sit by the pool.

They did eventually run inside, but even so. They went out there in the first place on their own free will.

Stormy weather is a perfect opportunity to stay inside and skill a little bit, anyway.

While I know I want Max to go to university, I actually have no idea what I want him to study. So I figured he could learn a little bit of everything while I make my mind up. He's practising programming here.

Meanwhile, Caleb painted a masterpiece.

Yep, I'm as surprised as you. I would never have guessed that was a masterpiece.

The following morning, and Max is making breakfast for Dolly, like a good older brother.

"I might pass, actually, Max. Dad'll probably be down in a sec."

They're just good kids <3

"Hey guys, it's Friday night. We should go out and party!"

Or not.

"So...back to mine then, yeah?"

I think Max is the only one who isn't happy that it's not the night they had planned. Everyone else seems okay with it.

Maybe it's because Kirby desperately wanted to be included.

"Look, I made the book talk!"

Yeah, that's not really going to impress the teenagers. I also don't feel like we've seen enough of Kirby this update, but she's been really busy with work - she was promoted to It Sim, which is Level 9 of the Trend Setter branch of the Style Influencer career. Summer has been pretty good for Kirby, but pretty busy working on the skills for the promotion.

"Look at my mad skills!"

"Max, what did I say about playing ball in the house?"

"Oh, leave him be, Caleb. He is pretty good at it."

Saturday morning, and Caleb's...walking on water?

Okay, that's a new one.

Later that day it was time for the Love Festival, which of course meant it started to rain.

Not that Max seemed to mind.

The whole family went to the festival.

I'm not missing out on an opportunity for Kirby and Caleb to be cute together, plus she could do with the family time after the busy week she's had.

For some reason I forgot to invite Candy though, my bad.

Next time, Lilith, I promise.

Candy may not have been there, but Shari invited herself along.

Max was more than happy to make her feel included.

"You're drinking from an imaginary glass, Max."

For the time being, these two are just friends.

Caleb and Kirby, meanwhile, were making the most of the festival atmosphere. You know, they got married in Summer 1, so they've been married a "year" now.

I love these two <3

And that was where the season ended for the Vatores! I'm pretty excited to see what autumn has in store for them!

The next update, the last one of the summer, will cover the Spangler family!

Until next time!